Sweet Radiant Mystery— “Of All That Is and Was and Ever Shall Be” As We Explore Many of the Questions and Proclivities That Connect Us As Members of the Human Family

Greetings from the Board Thank you for joining us for the first concert of Aurora’s 26th season. As the cold settles in and I recall last year's ice storms and the events that have transpired since, I feel a sense of urgency to be back with you. Let us collectively breathe in a moment of tranquility amidst the cacophony of unrelenting and deeply distressing trending hashtags. This evening we sing Jim Scott's words of hope and connection: . . .might I know the faith that winters in the heart to be reborn in Spring. To hear and to feel the pulse of life enters my soul as a song to sing, Of the oneness of everything. I hope that you might take with you from tonight a renewed belief in our common humanity, a faith that together we will pass through storms to sunnier days, and a sense that women's voices are as strong and vivacious as ever. We also look forward to exciting collaboration later this season. At our fifth annual International Women's Day, we are welcoming to the stage Ara Lee and Beth Wood, two contemporary artists who recently went viral on YouTube with a piece entitled "Nasty Woman." This May we will share the stage with four ensembles featuring both women's and men's voices ranging from ages 13 to 88. You have already supported Aurora by being present with us today. Thank you. Twenty-six years is an impressive feat for any organization, especially an arts organization; Aurora celebrates 26 years of women-run and women- driven music. If you have an additional $26 or $2.60 to share with Aurora, know that your financial contributions are invaluable in supporting the continuation of our longstanding musical community. With immense gratitude, Jaclyn Leeds, Board Chair

Aurora Board Jaclyn Leeds, President Lisa Fithian-Barrett Kristan Burkert, Treasurer Lori Kovacevic Lynn Greenwood, Secretary Judi Ranton Joan Szymko, ex officio

Raffle!! Raffle!! Free raffle!! Our sections have lovingly created wonderful baskets filled with all the things we love. Just fill out the form found inside your program or on the tables in the reception hall and drop it at the basket table. Drawings will be held on Monday, December 11th. Winners will be notified by email and arrangements will be made for basket delivery. Enter now!

2 Our Director Joan Szymko has conducted choruses in the Pacific Northwest for over thirty years. She left Seattle for Portland in 1993 to take on the leadership of Aurora Chorus. She soon founded Viriditas, a select women’s ensemble, (1994-2002) and enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with Do Jump! Movement Theater (1994-2012) as a performer, music director and resident composer. She recently served on the choral music faculty at Portland State University as director of Vox Femina (2013-15). As a visiting artist, Joan Szymko workshops her music with choirs in a variety of educational settings across the country and abroad. Composing for choir is a natural outgrowth of Joan Szymko's creativity as a conductor. Joan’s dedication to craft and artistry and her insistence on quality texts are renowned. Her catalog of over 100 published choral works is performed by ensembles across North America and abroad. Since 2003, her music has been performed at every National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2010 the ACDA recognized Szymko’s lasting impact on the choral arts in America by selecting her as the recipient of the prestigious Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission. Szymko’s Shadow and Light, an Alzheimer’s Journey, a major new work for chorus and orchestra, was commissioned by Eugene Vocal Arts and given a successful premiere in April 2016. Our Accompanist Currently based in Portland, Oregon, collaborative pianist Kira Whiting graduated from Manhattan School of Music in May 2014, with a Master’s in Classical Accompanying with a Vocal Emphasis. Ms. Whiting has participated in master classes with Thomas Quasthoff, Martin Katz, Thomas Hampson, Craig Rutenberg, and Roger Vignoles. She has performed several art song recitals in Scandinavia, including a program of American art songs with Norwegian soprano Margrethe Fredheim for a balcony concert at the Oslo Opera House. Ms. Whiting was a semi-finalist in collaboration with Dashon Burton, Bass-Baritone, at the Wigmore Hall International Art Song Competition 2015 in London, UK. About Aurora Chorus Aurora Chorus was founded in 1992 on the belief that music is a powerful instrument of peace—locally, globally, and within the hearts of all who sing and all who listen. We honor the strength, beauty and diversity of women’s lives through the fine art of choral singing. As a community of women empowered by song, our mission is to be a clear, compassionate voice in an increasingly conflicted world.

Comprised of singers from the Portland/Vancouver metro area, the chorus presents three full-length concerts each season and performs at community outreach events throughout the year. Aurora Chorus offers novice and experienced singers alike the opportunity to grow in a nurturing, inclusive atmosphere where healthy vocal production, solid choral technique and a diverse and compelling repertoire amplify support Aurora’s mission. 3 From the Artistic Director I have always struggled a bit with what to call this December event, often turning to terms like “season celebration” or “winter concert.” I think I am now finally comfortable with calling it a “holiday” concert, despite the fact that we rarely sing a Christmas or Hannukah song on our December program. The word “holiday” means “holy day” (Old English: haligdaeg (halig/holy + daeg/day). Aurora Chorus endeavors to celebrate the “holi-days” of December with universal expressions of wonderment, awe and with yearnings to be made whole (to be holy). And so it’s our hope that these songs may put some of the “holy” back into your holiday season.

I can’t explain the goings or the comings. You enter suddenly, and I am nowhere again inside the majesty. —Rumi ( C.Barks)

Today we sing of the Sweet Radiant Mystery— “of all that is and was and ever shall be” as we explore many of the questions and proclivities that connect us as members of the human family. We begin with songs of praise for the “Mystery” itself, with odes from the Psalms and from Sufi mystics. We will hear from poets and philosophers like Rilke and Goethe who tell us to love the questions but not to expect any answers. Singer/songwriters are modern day philosophers, and so we share the wisdom of Joni Mitchell, and Laura Nyro and sing “Thanks to Life” by Violetta Para. Another song of joyful gratitude, “Tala’ al-Badru Alayna”, a well-known traditional Arabic song, is the centerpiece of “Vivre, Aimer, Partager” (Live, Love, Share) from Quebec; its premiere performance, videoed as a welcome to Syrian refugees to Canada, became viral on YouTube in 2016. The French lyric translates: To live is to love. To love is to understand. With love we understand. To understand is to share. To share is to give. To give is to love. And to love is…? “Love is love is love is love” We are happy to invite you to sing along with us on this beautiful canon composed by Abbie Betinis. It’s from “Justice Choir,” a songbook of new and re-purposed protest songs and a template for a national movement of community singing for change.

The dead have a pact with the living. In the Indian epic, the “Mahabharata," a revered teacher answers the question: What is the most wondrous thing in the world? He replies: “The most wondrous thing in the world is that all around us people can be dying, and we don’t realize it can happen to us.” As we are presently in deep dark winter— what better time to ponder the great mystery, death. With the help of Laura Nyro and poets Mary Oliver and Birago Diop we make a friendly overture to death as a part of life.

Still we seek to find a truth that we might understand, and reduce to terms defined, vast and immeasurable time and space all so overwhelmingly designed. — Jim Scott

In closing we acknowledge the truly awesome connection to all that is. And with that, we recognize with poet Joy Harjo, that “we must take the utmost most care and kindness in all things…we pray that it will be done in beauty.”

Thank you for making Aurora Chorus a part of your holiday season! On behalf of Aurora Chorus, I wish you shalom— peace, yes— but also its Hebrew root: shalem‚ wholeness— holiness. Joan Szymko, Artistic Director Aurora Chorus

4 Sing With Us! Aurora Chorus welcomes women of all ages at all skill levels who seek artistic expression in an empowering singing environment. Directed by renowned choral composer Joan Szymko, Aurora provides women with an outstanding opportunity to grow vocally, but also — and just as importantly — to sing words that allow the heart to soar, to grieve, to celebrate and to communicate to our audience our hopes for a more compassionate world.

Join us for cookies and conversation after the show downstairs in the reception area.

Concert Credits Patti Harelkin - Production Coordinator Robin Lane - Stage Manager Sara Steege - Assistant Stage Manager Ron Hartmann - Front of House

Sound & Lights - Showdrape Inc. Cassie, Yalchin & staff Sound Recording - Branic Howard Tickets - Dixie and Mark Larsen Concert Graphic Design – Joan Szymko Concert Program – Erin Wilson

Special Thanks PSU Music Dept., Cara and staff at First Congregational Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Kathleen Hollingsworth, Wendy Street, Still Meadow Retreat Center, Judy Rose, Jill Sanders, and all of our amazing volunteers. Thanks Starbucks on SW 10th & Taylor for ongoing support.

The Eileen Spencer Scholarship Fund The Eileen Spencer Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Eileen Spencer, a devoted chorus member for nearly 15 years. The fund assists chorus members with participation fees when financial challenges arise. We invite you to support Aurora singers by making a contribution to Aurora Chorus earmarked “Spencer Fund.”

5 Sweet Radiant Mystery

Joan Szymko, Director Kira Whiting, Accompanist

Sweet Radiant Mystery Catherine Dalton

Laudate Dominum Carolyn Pirtle Psalm 150

Isn’t That Something? David L. Brunner Daniel Ladinsky, from Rumi

The Freshness Joan Szymko reader: Patti Harelkin Rumi, trans. Coleman Barks

Reading All Life is Being Lived reader: Elaine Ball R. M. Rilke

Gracias a la Vida Violeta Para soloists: Kirsten Hays 4pm arr. Willi Zwozdesky Lori Kovacevic 7pm

Reading Now I See reader: Susan Rinker J.W. von Goethe

Both Sides Now Joni Mitchell

Reading Look What Happens reader: Barbara Gray Hafiz (Ladinsky)

Love is Love is Love is Love Abbie Betinis piano accomp: Pachelbel’s Canon Latin verse from Liber Usualis

6 Reading I Have Learned So Much reader: Nanette Niski Hafiz (Ladinsky)

Vivre, Aimer, Partager Laura Hawley, incorporating the (Live, Love, Share) traditional Middle Eastern song, Tala’ al-badru ‘alayna Louis-Ferdinand Céline (French)

Reading Love the Question reader: Debby Pollack R.M. Rilke

Who Knows Where Time Sandy Denny Goes? arr. Audrey Snyder

And When I Die Laura Nyro soloists: Cheyenne Chapman 4pm arr. Joan Szymko Judi Ranton 7pm

Reading When Death Comes reader: Debbie Paynter Mary Oliver

Breaths Ysaye M. Barnwell Birago Diop

Eagle Rounding Out the Joan Szymko / Joy Harjo Morning flute improv., Judy Rose Judy Rose, native flute

Twinkle,Twinkle, Little Star Anon. Tune, Mozart / arr. Szymko Trad. French, Jane Taylor & Meish Goldish

Reading Ten Million Stars reader: Michele Stemler Nancy Wood

The Oneness of Everything Jim Scott arr. Szymko

7 Selected Lyrics & Translations

Laudate Dominum Love is Love is Love is Love (translation from the Latin) Ubi caritas et amor translates: Praise the Lord in his sacred places: Where there is charity and love… Praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts, according to the enormity of his greatness Vivre, Aimer, Partager Praise him with the sound of the trumpet (Arabic translation by Eric Banks) Praise him with the psaltery and the harp ‘Allamdulilah Praise him with the drum and the dance: Praise be to God Praise him with strings and pipes. Praise him with high sounding cymbals: Chanton chanton ‘Allamdulilah Let everything that has breath praise the Lord `Sing, sing, praise be to God! Tala’ albadru ‘Alayna The white moon rose above us Gracias a la Vida (translation from the Spanish by min thaniyyati’ lwada' William Morín) Coming out of the valley of Wada Thanks to life, which has given me so much wajaba Ishkru ‘Alayna It has given me two eyes, and when I open them And we should show every gratitude I clearly distinguish black from white And in the high sky, its starry depths, mada ‘a lillahi da’ And from the crowds, the one that I love For the one who has called us to Allah

Thanks to life, which has given me so much ‘Allamdulilah! It has given me sound and the alphabet Praise be to God! And with it the words to think and speak Vivre c’est aimer. Mother, friend, brother, and the light that To live is to love. brightens The path of the soul of my loved one Aimer, c’est comprendre To love is to understand. Thanks to life, which has given me so much Comprendre, c’est partager. It has kept my tired feet walking To understand is to share. With them I walked through cities and puddles, Beaches and deserts, mountains and plains Partager, c’est donner. And your house, your street and your Sharing is giving. courtyard Donner, c’est aimer. Thanks to life, which has given me so much To give is to love. It has given me laughter and it has given me Aimer, aimer c’est vivre. tears To love, to love is to live. Thus I distinguish between joy and pain, They are all elements of my song and of your song, which is all one and the same Thanks to life, which has given me so much

8 Eagle Rounding Out the The Oneness of Everything Morning Far beyond the grasp of hands, or light to To pray you open your whole self meet the eye, To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon Past the reaches of the mind To one whole voice that is you. There find the key to nature’s harmony And know there is more In an architecture so entwined. That you can’t see, can’t hear; Like the birds, whose patterns grace the sky Can’t know except in moments And carry all who join in love, expanding, Steadily growing, and in languages The message of peace will rise in flight That aren’t always sound but other Taking the weight of the world upon its wings, Circles of motion. In the oneness of everything. Like eagle that Sunday morning Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky Peace is in the dance of trees In wind, swept our hearts clean Who stir before the first breath of wind is With sacred wings. yet perceived We see you, see ourselves and know Trust in the song, becoming one with the That we must take the utmost care dance, And kindness in all things. and all mysteries can be believed. Breathe in, knowing we are made of Like the sorrow of the clouds whose tears fall, All this, and breathe, knowing Caring on the soil, undemanding We are truly blessed because we Lessons of love are given that we might rejoice Were born, and die soon within a in the music they bring True circle of motion, Of the oneness of everything. Like eagle rounding out the morning Inside us. From chords that sound of molecules spinning We pray that it will be done billions to a cell, In beauty. the call resounds afar. In beauty. To the sun who warms the dancing earth and whose song holds it close on the journey of a star. Songs of lives long past who touch our own Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star are written in the earth ever giving. (translation from the French) And now to maintain the harmony gives to us Vous dirai-je maman all lives worth living for the oneness of Oh! Shall I tell you, Mommy everything.

Ce qui cause mon tourment? What is tormenting me? Still we seek to find a truth that we might understand Papa veut que je raisonne and reduce to terms defined, Daddy wants me to reason Vast and immeasurable time and space

Comme une grande personne all so overwhelmingly designed. Like a grown-up person, Oh passing years, just might I know the faith that winters in the heart to be reborn in Moi je dis que les bonbons Spring. Me, I say that sweets To hear and to feel the pulse of life

Valent mieux que la raison. enters my soul as a song to sing, Are worth more than reasoning. Of the oneness of everything.

9 The Singers

Soprano 1 Soprano 2 Alto 1 Alto 2 Susan Abe Rachel Baldwin Anne Auxier Margaret Brown Michele AldersonA Elaine Ball+ Shannon Buono* Colleen Cornman- Kristan Burkert** Cheyenne Teresa Boyle Wilcox Ellen Drumheller Chapman Rachel Bramble Margot Faegre A Kirsten Hays Patricia Cornman- Barbara Lisa Fithian-Barrett Christine Wilcox* Cervantes- Terri Lewis Hayward+A Clara Dair Gautschi Virginia Malone A Judith Don Cindy Christensen Linda Milone* Frances Hicks Betsy Dowell Claire Dennerlein Claudia Nadine+ Wendy Howard Roberta Jortner Beth Ferrarini Janet Neuman Caren Jensen Static Kaeder Barbara Gray LouAnn Pearthree Lori Kovacevic* Elizabeth Larsen** A Debby Pollack Lydia Pickard** Patti Harelkin Jaclyn Leeds Jill Sanders Judi Ranton Marylyn John Zsuzsa Nemeth Michele Stemler** Susan Rinker Kristin Judge Nanette Niski A Bethany Soule Dixie Larsen Debbie Paynter Stacy Watts Donna Lieberman Gwen Porus Eun Jung Yi+ Patricia McKinney + Harmonizers Jenna Smith Wendy MillerA ++ Harmonizer Chair Mary Anne ** Music Leaders Thygesen Mary Ellen * Section Managers MorrisonA A Aurora Coordinating Krista Weikel Team Delaplane Rachel Plotinsky A WendyLeigh White Jackie Rose ++ Sharyl Swope** Carol Walker+** Instrumentalists Handbell ensemble: Teresa Boyle, Margaret Brown, Kristin Judge, Lori Kovacevic, Judi Ranton, Jill Sanders Percussion ensemble: Teresa Boyle, Marylyn John, Roberta Jortner Native flute and doumbek: Judy Rose Our Donors Michele Alderson Carol Brownlow Karen Cameron D Allegro Phyllis Brzozowska Jane Hardy Cease Phyllis Auger Tina Buchanan Cheyenne Chapman Elaine Ball Shannon Leigh Buono Olivia Clark Micki Barney Kristan Burkert Libby Clow Dianne Bell Beryl Burns Judy Coons Ann Blair Barbara Cabot Colleen and Patricia Margaret Blake Karen Cameron Cornman-Wilcox Chris Bond Jane Hardy Cease Paulla Dacklin Mary F Bowers Cheyenne Chapman Claire Dennerlein Brenda Brischetto Olivia Clark Cynthia DeVore Rachel Brooks Barbara Cabot Diane Dickey 10 Mary Dingle Sarah Johnson & Jane Lear Portland Art Museum Harry Krulewitch & Jaclyn Leeds Richard Porus Kathleen Dougherty Zoe Lehr Don Powell Julie Earnest Lani Jo Leigh Wendy Rankin Daniel Porter & Jonquil LeMaster Judi Ranton Mary Edmeades Gail Lepp Thomas Ranton Kaye Exo Andre Letoumeau Jonathan Roach Margot Faegre Terri Lewis Margaret Robinson Beth Ferrarini Donna Lieberman Mary Rose Lisa Fithian-Barrett Suzanne & Jill Sanders Barbara Ford Howard Liebreich Smokey Satterlee Ruth Friedel Dana Lillie Daniel Scarpine Sally & Patricia Gardner Edward Guillery & Claire Adamsick & Jennifer Gates Wendy Lin Gillian Schmidt Susan Giese Marilyn Lindberg Kate Schuyler David Goldberg David & Susan Long Jenna Scott Corbett Gordon Kristin Lottig Joan Sears Barbara Gray Gayle Lovejoy Lesley Sepetoski Lynn Greenwood Michelle and John Lum Laurie Shentalevenn Jeanette Hankins Virginia Malone Heidi Sickert Rianda Joni Marie Hartmann Jennifer Mangieri Linda Simmons Kirsten Hays Kim Martin Stephanie Singer Liz Hays Gaia Mather Janice Snyder Christine Hayward Suzanne Mattox Deb Solheim Marya Hazilla Peggy McComb Martha Soltesz Jack Herbert Bonnie McAnnis Robert Soule JoAnn Herrigel Linda Meier Judy Soule Frances Hicks Wendy Miller Margaret Spencer Judy Hilsenteger Linda Milone Peter Spendelow Holly Hoffnung Maria Moiel Susan St Michael Jane Holt Mary Ellen Morrison Michele Stemler Karen Zumwalt & Martha Jo Muncie Ingrid Stevens Pamela Hooten Gail K Murphy Rachel Garson & Mike Storie Laurel Hortsch Charles Murphy Mary Lou Strong Dan Hortsch Laura Nelson Sharyl Swope David & Kathleen Ingerson Joe & Nannette Niski Joan Szymko Catherine Johnson Nancy Nydegger Jonathan Templar-Goral Kai Jordan Mary Lynn O'Brien Susan Terry Donald & Cynthia Jortner Empower Oil Jana Tracy & CJ Timper Roberta Jortner James Ott Laurie Todd Maura Kanuri Paloma Clothing Beryl Turner Roberta Kaplan Lanetta Paul Jacques & Nicole Tyler Aron Faegre & Debbie Paynter Sherri Vacarella Kathleen Kelley Meredith Peake Carol Walker Denise & Jane Pellicciotto Brent Walth Don Kossover-Wechter Rebecca Pepper Susan Watson Lori Kovacevic Lydia Pickard Stacy Watts Jeanne Krinsley Pinta Krista Weikel-Delaplane Dorothy LaDouceur Deborah T Pollack Connie Weiss Dixie Larsen Kay and David Pollack Ann C Werner Mark Larsen David Porter Eun Jung Yi Elizabeth Larsen Elsa Porter Deborah Zita

11 SAVE THE DATES! Upcoming Aurora Concerts

MARCH 4 MAY 20 Sisters, You Keep Me Fighting love is love is love is love

Join Aurora for our 5th International Aurora’s season finale features collaborations Women’s Day Celebration! with special guests: Special Guest Artists Beth Wood and Ara Bridging Voices Lee join us in songs of resistance and Portland Lesbian Choir persistence. The combination of these Cascade (of PGMC) two artists’ voices creates an alchemy of BVS Women’s Choir (from Brooklyn, NY) power, musicality and tenderness that cannot be denied.

Singers participating in our International Women’s Day concert are invited to bring a daughter, niece, godchild or young friend to sing with us in this inspirational concert. For more info, please contact [email protected]